Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Article
Published: 2026-07-21
Page range: 107-134
Abstract views: 56
PDF downloaded: 2

Bromeliads of a humid enclave in the Caatinga: Parque Estadual das Sete Passagens, Bahia, Brazil

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica; Escola Nacional de Botânica Tropical; Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro; R. Pacheco Leão 2040; 22460-036; Rio de Janeiro - RJ; Brazil
Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro; Rua Pacheco Leão; 915; CEP: 22460-030; Rio de Janeiro; Brazil
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica; Escola Nacional de Botânica Tropical; Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro; R. Pacheco Leão 2040; 22460-036; Rio de Janeiro - RJ; Brazil; Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro; Rua Pacheco Leão; 915; CEP: 22460-030; Rio de Janeiro; Brazil
Monocots botanical survey Chapada Diamantina Neotropical flora northeastern Brazil Poales

Abstract

Parque Estadual das Sete Passagens is a protected area in the northern portion of the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil, and represents an important regional biological refuge; however, floristic studies in the area remain scarce. This study aimed to investigate the floristic composition and taxonomic diversity of Bromeliaceae in this protected area. We combined a review of the available literature and herbarium collections with six field expeditions conducted between August 2024 and June 2025, covering sites of known species occurrence and different vegetation types. A total of 26 native taxa distributed across ten genera were recorded: Tillandsia L. (9 spp.), Vriesea Lindl. (5 spp.), Aechmea Ruiz & Pav. (3 spp.), Racinaea M.A.Spencer & L.B.Sm. (2 spp.), and Cottendorfia Schult.f., Cryptanthus Otto & A.Dietr., Dyckia Schult.f., Sincoraea Ule, Stigmatodon Leme, G.K.Br. & Barfuss, and Wittmackia Mez (one species each). We provided descriptions, identification key and taxonomic notes for all recorded species. Among the recorded taxa, ten species are endemic to the state of Bahia, and two, Tillandsia heubergeri Ehlers and Vriesea serraourensis E.H.Souza & Leme, are classified as Vulnerable (VU). Of the 26 taxa inventoried, 17 are newly recorded within the boundaries of Parque Estadual das Sete Passagens. These findings substantially expand the floristic and taxonomic knowledge of Bromeliaceae in the area and provide a solid scientific basis for conservation and ecological restoration initiatives in northeastern Brazil.

References

  1. Aguirre-Santoro, J. (2017) Taxonomy of the Ronnbergia Alliance (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae): new combinations, synopsis, and new circumscriptions of Ronnbergia and the resurrected genus Wittmackia. Plant Systematics and Evolution 303: 615–640. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-017-1394-y
  2. Almeida, E.D.S., Siqueira-Filho, J.A. & Leme, E.M.C. (2022) Cryptanthus euglossinii (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae), a new species from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia. Rodriguésia 73: e02092020. https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860202273073
  3. Andrade, D.S., Souza, E.H., Costa, E.M.R. & Souza, F.V.D. (2025) In vitro conservation of three endemic Bromeliaceae species and reintroduction into their natural habitat. Journal for Nature Conservation 84: 126839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2025.126839
  4. Ballejos, J. & Bastos, C.J.P. (2010) Musgos acrocárpicos (Bryophyta) do Parque Estadual das Sete Passagens, Miguel Calmon, Bahia, Brasil. Brazilian Journal of Botany 33: 355–370. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-84042010000200016
  5. Beentje, H.J. (2016) The Kew plant glossary: an illustrated dictionary of plant terms. 2nd ed. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, 192 pp.
  6. Benzing, D.H., Seemann, J. & Renfrow, A. (1978) The foliar epidermis in Tillandsioideae (Bromeliaceae) and its role in habitat selection. American Journal of Botany 65: 359–365. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1537-2197.1978.tb06079.x
  7. Benzing, D.H. (2000) Bromeliaceae: profile of an adaptive radiation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 720 pp.
  8. Bétard, F., Peulvast, J.P. & Claudino-Sales, V. (2007) Caracterização morfopedológica de uma serra úmida no semiárido do nordeste brasileiro: o caso do Maciço de Baturité–CE. Mercator 6 (12): 107–124.
  9. Campos, L., Moro, M.F., Funk, V.A. & Roque, N. (2019) Biogeographical review of Asteraceae in the Espinhaço Mountain Range, Brazil. The Botanical Review 85: 293–336. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-019-09216-9
  10. Cavalcanti, B., Versieux, L.M., Souza, E.H. & Martinelli, A.P. (2020) Hohenbergia ituberaensis (Bromeliaceae), a new white-flowered species from Bahia, Brazil. Phytotaxa 439 (2): 119–126. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.439.2.2
  11. Cavalcante, B.P., Silva, K.R., Souza, E.H., Versieux, L.M. & Martinelli, A.P. (2022) Hohenbergia erecta (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae), a new once-branched species from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia state, Brazil. Tropical Plant Biology 15: 319–325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12042-022-09325-7
  12. CNCFLORA—Centro Nacional de Conservação da Flora (2026) Available from: https://cncflora.jbrj.gov.br/ (accessed 24 January 2026)
  13. Colli-Silva, M., Vasconcelos, T.N.C. & Pirani, J.R. (2019) Outstanding plant endemism levels strongly support the recognition of campo rupestre provinces in mountaintops of eastern South America. Journal of Biogeography 46: 1974–2023. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13585
  14. Coser, T.S., Paula, C.C. & Wendt, T. (2010) Bromeliaceae Juss. nos campos rupestres do Parque Estadual do Itacolomi, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Rodriguésia 61 (2): 261–280. https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860201061209
  15. Couto, D.R., Kessous, I.M., Neves, B., Paixão-Souza, B., Faria, C.G., Barfuss, M.H.J., Salgueiro, S., Sá-Haiad, B. & Costa, A.F. (2022) Molecular phylogenetics and trait evolution in Stigmatodon (Bromeliaceae, Tillandsioideae), an endemic genus to Brazilian rocky outcrops. Systematic Botany 47 (2): 347–362. https://doi.org/10.1600/036364422X16512564801696
  16. Crayn, D.M., Winter, K. & Smith, J.A.C. (2004) Multiple origins of crassulacean acid metabolism and the epiphytic habit in the neotropical family Bromeliaceae. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 101: 3703–3708. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0400366101
  17. Dias, L.C.D., Faria, A.P.G., Nogueira, M.G.C., Furtado, S.G., Cardoso, P.H., Cabral, A. & Menini-Neto, L. (2020) Bromeliaceae nos fragmentos de Floresta Atlântica de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Rodriguésia 71: e03092018. https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860202071100
  18. Ferreira, G.M.D., Leme, E.M., Aona, L.Y., Souza, F.V.D., Moura, H.C. & Souza, E.H. (2024) Microendemism, high diversity and taxonomic novelties in Bromeliaceae: studies from an Atlantic Forest hotspot in Bahia, Brazil. Journal for Nature Conservation 79: 126599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2024.126599
  19. Ferreira, J.V., Fabricante, J.R. & Siqueira-Filho, J.A. (2015) Checklist preliminar de Bromeliaceae do Parque Nacional do Catimbau, Pernambuco, Brasil. Natureza Online 13 (2): 93–97.
  20. Flora e Funga do Brasil (2025) Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. Available from: https://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/ (accessed 24 January 2026)
  21. Forzza, R.C., Costa, A.F., Leme, E.M.C., Versieux, L.M., Wanderley, M.G.L., Louzada, R.B., Monteiro, R.F., Judice, D.M., Fernandes, E.P., Borges, R.A.X., Penedo, T.S.A., Monteiro, N.P. & Moraes, M.A. (2013) Bromeliaceae. In: Martinelli, G. & Moraes, M.A. (Eds.) Livro Vermelho da Flora do Brasil. Instituto de Pesquisas do Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, pp. 315–396.
  22. Givnish, T.J., Millam, K.C., Berry, P.E. & Sytsma, K.J. (2007) Phylogeny, adaptive radiation, and historical biogeography of Bromeliaceae inferred from ndhF sequence data. Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany 23: 3–26. https://doi.org/10.5642/aliso.20072301.04
  23. Gonçalves, C.N. & Gonçalves, C.F.A. (2023) A preliminary checklist of vascular plants endemic to the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil, with comments on their extinction threat status. Biodiversidade Brasileira 13 (4): 1–23. https://doi.org/10.37002/biodiversidadebrasileira.v13i4.2264
  24. Gonçalves, E. & Lorenzi, H. (2011) Morfologia vegetal. Vol. 2. Plantarum, Nova Odessa, 512 pp.
  25. Gouda, E.J., Butcher, D. & Dijkgraaf, L. (2025, continuously updated) Encyclopaedia of Bromeliads, version 5. Utrecht University Botanic Gardens. Available from: https://bromeliad.nl/encyclopedia/ (accessed 24 January 2026)
  26. Guarçoni, E.A.E., Paula, C.C. & Costa, A.F. (2010) Bromeliaceae do Parque Estadual da Serra do Rola-Moça, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Rodriguésia 61 (3): 467–490. https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860201061309
  27. Harris, J.G. & Harris, M.W. (2001) Plant identification terminology: an illustrated glossary. Spring Lake Publishing, Spring Lake, Utah, 198 pp.
  28. Hassler, M.L. (2005) A importância das Unidades de Conservação no Brasil. Sociedade & Natureza 17 (33): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.14393/SN-v17-2005-9204
  29. INEMA (2026) Parque Estadual das Sete Passagens. Available from: https://www.ba.gov.br/inema/gestao-2/unidades-de-conservacao/parque-estadual/parque-estadual-das-sete-passagens (accessed 24 January 2026)
  30. Koch, A.K., Monteiro, R.F. & Ilkiu-Borges, A.L. (2015) Checklist de Bromeliaceae da região da Volta Grande do Xingu, Pará, Brasil. Rodriguésia 66 (2): 455–464. https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860201566213
  31. Ladino, G., Ospina-Bautista, F., Estévez Varón, J., Jerabková, L. & Kratina, P. (2019) Ecosystem services provided by bromeliad plants: a systematic review. Ecology and Evolution 9 (12): 7360–7372. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5296
  32. Leme, E.M., Souza, E.D., Aona, L.Y. & Souza, F.V.D. (2023) Two new Wittmackia species (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) from Bahia, Brazil. Phytotaxa 583 (3): 241–250. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.583.3.2
  33. Leme, E.M. & Kollmann, L.J. (2011) New species and a new combination of Brazilian Bromeliaceae. Phytotaxa 16 (1): 1–36. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.16.1.1
  34. Leodegario, M.D.M., Cavalcante, B.P., Aona, L.Y.S., Wanderley, M.G.L. & Souza, E.H. (2020) Tillandsia itatiensis, a new species of Tillandsia L. (Bromeliaceae) from Bahia, Brazil. Phytotaxa 456 (2): 186–194. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.456.2.6
  35. Machado, T.M., Forzza, R.C. & Stehmann, J.R. (2016) Bromeliaceae from Caparaó National Park, Minas Gerais/Espírito Santo states, Brazil, with notes on distribution and conservation. Oecologia Australis 20 (2): 271–284. https://doi.org/10.4257/oeco.2016.2002.10
  36. Margulies, J.D., Hinsley, A., Ingram, D.J., Cowell, C., Goettsch, B., Klitgård, B.B., Lavorgna, A., Sinovas, P. & Phelps, J. (2019) Illegal wildlife trade and the persistence of “plant blindness”. Plants, People, Planet 1: 173–182. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10053
  37. MMA (2022) Ministério do Meio Ambiente. Available from: https://www.gov.br/icmbio/pt-br/assuntos/centros-de-pesquisa/aves-silvestres/arquivos/portaria-148-2022.pdf (accessed 24 January 2026)
  38. Monteiro, R.F. & Forzza, R.C. (2008) A família Bromeliaceae no Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Boletim de Botânica da Universidade de São Paulo 26: 7–33. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9052.v26i1p7-33
  39. Moro, M.F., Amorim, V.O., Queiroz, L.P., Costa, L.R.F., Maia, R.P., Taylor, N.P. & Zappi, D.C. (2024) Biogeographical districts of the Caatinga dominion: a proposal based on geomorphology and endemism. The Botanical Review 90: 376–429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-024-09304-5
  40. Moro, M.F., Lughadha, E.N., Araújo, F.S. & Martins, F.R. (2016) A phytogeographical meta-analysis of the semiarid Caatinga domain in Brazil. The Botanical Review 82: 91–148. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-016-9164-z
  41. Nogueira, A.C., Côrtes, I.M.R. & Verçoza, F.C. (2013) A família Bromeliaceae na Área de Proteção Ambiental de Grumari, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. Revista Souza Marques 1: 31–42.
  42. Piazzetta, K.D., Ramsdorf, W.A. & Maranho, L.T. (2019) Use of air plant Tillandsia recurvata L. (Bromeliaceae) as biomonitor of urban air pollution. Aerobiologia 35 (1): 125–137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-018-9545-3
  43. POWO—Plants of the World Online (2025) Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Available from: https://powo.science.kew.org/ (accessed 24 January 2026)
  44. SEMA—Secretaria do Meio Ambiente do Estado da Bahia (2017) Lista oficial das espécies endêmicas da flora ameaçadas de extinção do Estado da Bahia. Available from: https://www.ba.gov.br/meioambiente/noticia/2024-02/12324/governo-publica-lista-das-especies-da-flora-ameacadas-de-extincao-do-estado (accessed 22 January 2026)
  45. SMARH—Secretaria de Meio Ambiente e Recursos Hídricos (2008) Plano de manejo do Parque Estadual das Sete Passagens (PESP). Secretaria de Meio Ambiente e Recursos Hídricos, Salvador.
  46. Smith, L.B. & Downs, R.J. (1974) Pitcairnioideae (Bromeliaceae). Hafner Press, New York, pp. 1–658.
  47. Smith, L.B. & Downs, R.J. (1977) Tillandsioideae (Bromeliaceae). Hafner Press, New York, pp. 663–1492.
  48. Smith, L.B. & Downs, R.J. (1979) Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae). Hafner Press, New York, pp. 1493–2142.
  49. Souza, E.H. & Leme, E.M.C. (2021) New Cryptanthus species (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) from the state of Bahia, Brazil. Phytotaxa 523 (2): 179–191. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.523.2.5
  50. Souza, E.H., Leodegario, M., Aona, L.Y.S., Souza, F.V.D. & Leme, E.M. (2021) Tillandsia oliveirae (Bromeliaceae), a new species from an inselberg in Bahia, Brazil. Phytotaxa 527 (1): 60–66. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.527.1.6
  51. Souza, E.H.D., Fernandez, E.P., Ferreira, G.C., Aona, L.Y., Souza, F.V.D. & Leme, E.M.C. (2025) Vriesea serraourensis (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae), a new species from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. Phytotaxa 691 (2): 211–220. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.691.2.7
  52. Sugai, M.O.S. (2014) Análise geográfica integrada do Parque Estadual das Sete Passagens, Miguel Calmon, Bahia. Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas, 120 pp.
  53. Torres, D.S.C., Cordeiro, I. & Giulietti, A.M. (2003) O gênero Phyllanthus L. (Euphorbiaceae) na Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brasil. Acta Botanica Brasilica 17: 265–278. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-33062003000200009
  54. Valentim, R. & Louzada, R. (2020) A new record of Tillandsia candida Leme (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae) and notes on its taxonomy. Hoehnea 47: e132019. https://doi.org/10.1590/2236-8906-13/2019
  55. Versieux, L.M., Wendt, T., Louzada, R.F. & Wanderley, M.G.L. (2008) Bromeliaceae da Cadeia do Espinhaço. Megadiversidade 4: 126–138.
  56. Versieux, L.M. & Wendt, T. (2007) Bromeliaceae diversity and conservation in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Biodiversity and Conservation 16 (11): 2989–3009. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-007-9157-7
  57. Wanderley, M.G.L. & Martins, S.E. (2007) Bromeliaceae. In: Wanderley, M.G.L., Shepherd, G.J., Melhem, T.S. & Giulietti, A.M. (Eds.) Flora Fanerogâmica do Estado de São Paulo, vol. 5. Instituto de Botânica, São Paulo, pp. 39–161.
  58. Wanderley, M.G.L. & Conceição, A.A. (2006) Notas taxonômicas e uma nova espécie do gênero Orthophytum Beer (Bromeliaceae) da Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brasil. Sitientibus Série Ciências Biológicas 6 (1): 3–8.
  59. Wendt, T. (1997) A review of the subgenus Pothuava (Baker) Baker of Aechmea Ruiz & Pav. (Bromeliaceae) in Brazil. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 125: 245–271. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.1997.tb02257.x
  60. Zizka, G., Schmidt, M., Schulte, K., Novoa, P., Pinto, R. & König, K. (2009) Chilean Bromeliaceae: diversity, distribution and evaluation of conservation status. Biodiversity and Conservation 18: 2449–2471. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-009-9601-y

How to Cite

Carvalho-Silva, F., Kessous, I.M. & Fraga, C.N.D. (2026) Bromeliads of a humid enclave in the Caatinga: Parque Estadual das Sete Passagens, Bahia, Brazil. Phytotaxa 767 (2): 107–134. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.767.2.1